Pump device



May 23, 1950 D. JOHNSTON 2,508,609

PUMP DEVICE Filed July 2, 1945 5 Shee'ts-Sheet l H1- ro RME/s.

D. JOHNSTON May 23, 1950 PUMP DEVICE I s sheets-sheet 2 Filed July 2, 1945 y, w, 0 5 r 3. E MJ w m K Was 4N xs U E6 m w TJ D. JOHNSTON PUMP DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 23, 1950 Filed July 2, 1945 Patented May 23, 1950 UNITED STATiliiS PATENT GFFIC E 50u09 rtm1 Douglas Johnston, .Alxidri Aiiuati'oii .iuisf f2', 1945, serial No. 602.735

5 Glaixs'. (Cl. 10322449 This invention pertins t6 VHqid liu-inns vnorallyi and 'fioricet'nfsA itself iore f'tioularly withrva rodless 4leep Well bump. l i

It Sis the generil afin of the inventionto prof- Vide an improved puinp of the tipe mentioned having a mini-mum .number of parts rranged in the mosteffeetive v'inamner `to reduce substantially its weight; pipe da;'metersi` and.r ost over .ll presently known devices f this Sort, Withot `sacrificing 'nfy of its feilioeii'i.

More specifically, lit -is a purpose Iof the in; `staint invention to provide' 'an iiiiiiovd stio- -surfa'ce bump vunit in which only one csir'g 'i's y@Implfydv A It :is a :further :object .of "the invention to `pro-- vide `:ein irr'i'irv'ed subsura pump -uit eqillr adaptable to the yuse of 4'eitlfier -Sbrin or ir motor.

,'It .is :also vlen object -of th'nventio to -poi'rie .a pump possessing' an unproven power ur'xithijing .a .minimiim number -of Working -parts which may vloe Vused in conjunction with join improved 4surface unit to accomplish the iorgoing'object's .of invention;

These, .and other objects, will fbcoine apparent .as the ,description proceeds,- sirxd the scope of 'the invention will be pointed out 'in the appendei claims. A more comprehensive unerstanding fof .the inventionwll .be aioide'd from the ri'o11r.i\ v'ine detailed `;;escri]p.tion when considered in Acon"- junction with .the faccompn-yng drawings i which: I l n Fig. 1 Vis -a plan view in Tpiaprtial section `of A. power Vunit .forming a Ypartzof the instant 4-inveri tion;

Fig. 2 is 'a yertical sectional view-of ite power unit taken yalongithe,line 2&2 vof Fig. '1;

Figi 3 is a partial sectional fviw of the pow unit takenalongz-theline :3-1-3 oi Fig. 2` and look-'- ing into the hydraulic section thereof; n

Fig.-4 is a `vertical'sectionalview of the suosurfaee unit embodying the :instant invention;

Fig.- ;5 a lcrossesectioi'ia'l vView 4of /sid `r`vslibsurface unit taken falong the line 252-25 of Fig. `4;

Fig. 6 is a similar view taken along the "line sA-'s of Fig; .4;

Fig. 8 is a. verticalsectional viewl showing m'dcation of th subsurfa '-'liit illdtted in' 'Fig'. '4; :and l este@ fig" 7.', @Le

--the internal@ separated Vfrom the port 32 by a pressure diaphragm 38. A valve 39, movable in the valve cavity 31, seats itself against a partition 4| therein, which divides the valve cavity into an upper and lower section. The valve 39 is attached to the pressure diaphragm 38 by means of a valve stem 42. The valve stem 42 is provided with a head 43, which extends through the partition 4| and is surrounded by a valve spring 44 operative against the head 43 to urge the valve closed against the retentive force of the' pressure diaphragm 38. Openings 45 in the partition 4l provide a means for the flow of uid from the upper to the lower. sections of the valve cavity 31. The upper section of this cavity is connected by means of a port 46 with a third valve cavity41 in which a check valve 48 is operative.

The valve cavity 41 is likewise divided4 into an upper and a lower section by means of a partition c 49. Against this partition the valve 48 seats itself through the action of a valve spring 5|. Ports 52 lin the partition 49render the valve 48 subject to `uidpressures occurring in the lower section of Vthe valve cavity 41, and through these portsrfluid is forced against the valve 48 to open the same. The upper section of the` valve cavity 4'14 is connected with an outletconnection 53 by means ofa port 54. To the voutlet connection 53 is connected a pipe 55 which connects the pump with a pressure storage tank, not shown. A The removable heads 56 in the pump housing I2 render the valve mechanisms accessible for repair.

m Thesubsurface unit 9 is connected to the power "unit 8 and, through the medium of the column of liquid carried in'the conduit'lll, is operable to ,lift the water from the well. Ihis unit comprises a casing 51 to which the conduit I8 is connected ,by means of a connection 58. A sump section 59 is lsecured to a connection 6| by bolts 62, and this connection in turn is screwed onto the casing 51. Operating within the bore 63 of the casing 51 is a lift mechanism vcomprising a piston 64 movable under the pressure of liquid in pipe 0 against the tension of a compression spring`65. l The latter element surrounds a tube 66 which provides a passage foriuid froml the sump section 59 to the bore 63 throughpa valve 61. Although a spring 65 is here illustrated, it is to be understoodthat an airmotor may also be used with good results.

The force-producing movement of the piston 64 isftrans'mitted to thel spring 6 5 through a spring cap' 66 into whichthe tube 66 is screwed. A stud A69 serves as arridged, connecting vmember between the piston 64- and the spring cap 68 andprovides a retainer for a valve spring` 1| which Vacts to maintain the valve 61 closedigainst its seat on top`of the spring cap 68. y K

In a shouldered recess 12in the lower extension of .the spring cap 68, one end of the spring is cradled; the other end thereof rests in a recess 13 provided inthe connection 6L In this manner, Vagchamber 14, occupying thespace between the outer walls of the vtube 66 and the inner walls of the casing-51, is formed in which the spring 65 is're'tained. .A number of holes 1 5, bored in the cap -,provideopenings through which fluid may pass from the chamber -14- into another chamber 16. Other holes 11" extending through'` the top of thecap 68 form ports which are closedbythe valve 61 and'throughA which fluid is passed from the tube 66 tothe chamber 16. A A For the release of high pressure fluid trapped under the piston 64 on itsV downward stroke, a valve,18 is provided. This valve covers .several holes 19, .bored 'through the pistonn64L whichwc omu Y chamber.

large that its'effect on the chamber space will be noticeable. In such event, it is preferable that the spring be retained in a position outside of the A subsurface unit, modified to this extent, is illustrated in Fig. 8. This unit com- 1 prises a 'casing' head 85 into which the conduit I0 is screwed. A short pipe section 86 of suitable diameter is also Vconnected to this head. Within thissection of the unit, a piston 81, which is similar to the piston 64 in the previously described modification, is operative. To the piston 81 is rigidly attached a tube 83 which serves a slightly diierent purpose than that of the tube 69 of the other unit. This tube is movable through a collar 89 which is rigidly held in a connection 9| attached to the lower extremities of the pipe 86. The collar 89 contains apertures opening into a chamber 92 formed by the internal walls of the pipe 86 and the external walls of the tube 88.

Within the connection 9|, a bore 93 provides a cavity in which a valve 95 is operative, the latter element being urged against its seat by a spring 96 retained against the collar 89 and encompassing the tube 8B. The tube 88, which is movable within the collar and its associatedv mechanisms, terminates in a crosshead 91, which is movable with the tube. A sump section 98 is screwed to a pipe 99 which is connected to the lower extremity of the connection 9|. Suitable vertical slots made in the pipe 99 form runways for the block 91 to which is attached a circular :spring retainer `|02. A similar retainer |03 screwed to the pipe 99 forms, with the retainer |02, seats for a pump spring |04 encompassing the pipe 99. A length of lightweight casing |05, such as galvanized iron gutter pipe, extending from the retainer |03 to the connection 9|, forms an enclosure for the spring |04.

A valve |01 is operative in the piston 81, which performs the same function as the valve 18 in the previously described embodiment.

Since the fundamental principles under which both of the illustrated subsurface units operate are the same, only the first lwill be described in connection with the systems operation. The essential differences, aside from the mounting of the spring outside of the compression chamber, lie in the operation of the valve 95. In this particular embodiment, this valve does not move with the tube'88. It is opened, however, by a reduction in'pressure in the chamber 92. Here, also, the fluid from the source is admitted to the chamber 92 around the tube 88'rather than through it. These-differences are minor and will not'be discussed further. i

The dimensions of the variouspartsY of both units are notcritical, although the pistons 23 and normally are of the same diameter, and the outside diameter of the tube 66 is equal to that oftherod 25.

With theV above-described arrangement, the entire lift assembly, including the piston 94,.the spring-cap 68and the-tube 66, are movable within the. bore-,6 3 of -the Ycasing 51. 'Through this action, liquid may-be rradgfrom-a:subterranean area in a manner now-to be described in connection with the operation of the pump.

IOperation As is shown schematically .in Fig. 7, the sub- Surface unit is installed in the Well With the ytube 6B submerged toa suitable depth in the water, or other fluid to be pumped. The power unit 8 roccupies a position above ground and is connected as previously described with the subsurface unit 9.,'vl 10 the left) of the piston 23, the `fluid inthe conduit. .f

Ill is placed under pressure. Fluid is also displaced intothe port 32, and the force thereof opens the valve 34 to admit fluid into the chamber 36 and in the back of the piston through the port 33. above and below the pressure diaphragm 38 is equal and the valve 39 is maintained closed by the spring 4d, allowing a volume of fluid equal tothe displacement of the piston rod 25 to be forced into the unit 9 through the pipe l0.

As pressure is thus exerted against the piston Bil, it is forced downwardly to compress the spring 65. The force exerted by the fluid acting against the face of the piston 64 raises the pres- Thus, the pressure of the iluid acting' diaphragm of this valveis acted upon by a spring adjusted in such a manner that in the eventthe sure of the uid in the chamber 'I4 surrounding the spring 65 to a value higher than that of the'y pressure of the uid in the chamber 80, due t0 the dierences Vin sizes of the areas against which the pressures are active. Hence, the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 'I4 (and 16, Fig. 4)

sumcient to open the valve '18 and allow it to discharge into the chamber 80 above this Valve.

After the compression stroke of the piston 23 is ended and it reverses its direction toward the right to begin its suction stroke, the valve 34- closes and a pressure is built up in the port 36 which acts against the upper face of the pressure diaphragm 38, distending it downwardly. Under this action, the valve 39 is opened and iiuid is forced through the port 46, the cavity 41, the.

check valve 48 and out through the pipe 55 to a pressure storagev tank (not shown) During the occurrence of the action just described with regard to the power unit on its suction stroke, the pressure above the piston 64 in the subsurface unit drops and the spring 65 acts to lift the piston. As the piston B4 rises, the valve 'i8 is closed, and the iluid retained above it is forced upwardly to maintain the system filled during the suction stroke of the piston 23.

Also, and on the upward stroke of the piston 64, l

a partial vacuum is created in the chamber 14, which causes the valve 61 to open. This permits duid to flow from the well through the sump 59 and the tube 66 into the chamber 14 to complete one pumping cycle.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the operation of the above-described pump system is dependent upon the premise that all of the passages, ports, cavities, etc. are continuallyl ,automatic pressure valve shuts it off.

vfluid pressure in the system vfalls below a predetermined amount, for example, live pounds per square inch, the spring overcomes the pressure of the fluid acting against the diaphragm and ad- .mits nuid from the pressure tank into the system by opening the valve.

Conversely, if the fluid pressure in the system should 'exceed a certain given pressure, for example, two hundred and nity pounds per square inch, this pressure may be applied to the diaphragm to act against a heavier spring causing the. same to open another valve which will r4.allow the fluid to escape back to the pressure tank, which, by wayofexample, may be maintainedat a pressure of approximately forty to sixty pounds persquare inch.

Since the fluid pressure in the tank is fixed ,mi at a value so that only approximately two-thirds vsuch a priming system, the pump may be placed in operation after installation by pouring a small amount of liquid,r not to exceed ten or fteen gallons, into the pressure tank.

Further,- an air inductor or inspirator may be used to maintain aggiven air pressure in the storage tank. Accordingly, if the subterranean source ofl fluid isgexhausted, the upper portion of the tank will be lled vonly with air until the If an outlet to the tank is :open releasing some of this air pressure, the cycle will be repeated unless, in the meantime, the fluid level in the well has risen to .fa sufficient height, in rwhich case normal operation of the system will be resumed.

In the priming of the system, it will possibly be-wondered how the chamber I4 may be filled.

This is provided for b'y-drilling very small holes inthe piston 64, which are not covered by the valve 18. Since the direction of flow through these holes reverses itself 0n each stroke of the piston Alill, there isvno danger of their clogging. AlsoQthese'holes are so small that leakage resulting from the i*operation of the piston will have no material eiect on the operation of the pump.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that the same is subject to many modifications and, accordingly, it is intended that the representations herein made shall not be treated in a limiting Sense and'that the spirit and scope of the invention shall be defined only by the appended claims. j

What is claimed is:

1. In a pump device in combination with a liquid source contact subsurface unit thereof, a power unit, and liquid conduit means connecting said units, said power unit comprising a housing having a, cylinder therein, piston means movable `within said cylinder, an outlet `connection in said housing communicating with said cylinder, a byrpass port in said housing connecting" the'forward and rear sections of said cylinder whereby fluid may be 'passed onv the' compression stroke of said piston means to deliver fiuid into the rear thereof, valve means forcontrolling the llow of fluid in said by-pass port, a pressure-responsive movable element, means connecting said cylinder and' said by-pass port to deliver fluid pressure above and below said pressure-responsive movable element, a normally closed valve means connected to and operable by saidpressure-responsive element, port means connecting said by-pass port with a second outlet in said housing and check valve means interposed in said connecting port, said valve means in said by-pass port being opened upon a compression stroke of said piston means and said normally Vclosed valve means being closed during said stroke to deliver a fluid under pressureat said rst outlet, and said bypass vvalve being closed upon the return stroke of said piston means whereby said normally closed valve means is .opened to cause flow of a fluid to said second outlet.

2. In a, pump device, a [power unit comprising a housing having a cylinder therein, a piston movable within said cylinder, power means for imparting reciprocatory motion to said piston, connecting means within said housing for passing a iiuid from the front-of tothe rear of said piston, valve means controlling the now of fluid through said connecting means, a first outlet communicating with said cylinder forward of said piston, a second outlet communicating by way of said connecting means with said cylinder to the rear of said piston meanarst and second valve means controlling the flow of fluid from the rear of said piston to said second outlet and pressureresponsive means for operating said rst valve means whereby fluid is delivered under pressure to said first outlet upon a compression stroke of said piston means and whereby fluid is delivered under pressure to said second outlet upon a suction stroke of said piston means.

3. In a pump device, the combination of a power unit comprising a' housing having a cylinder therein, a piston movable within said cylinder, power means for imparting reciprocatory motion to said piston, connecting means within said housing for passing a, fluid from the front of to the rear of said piston, valve means controlling the now of fluid through said connecting means, a first outlet communicating with said cylinder forward of said piston, a second outlet communieating by wayof said connecting means with said cylinder to the rear of said piston means, rst and second valve -means controlling the flow of fluidA from the rear of said.A piston to said second outlet, pressure-responsive vmeans for operating said first valve means whereby fluid is delivered connecting a fluid source with said lower chamber and movable with said piston, valve means in said connecting means for controlling the now of fluid from said source into said chamber, valve means carried in said piston for controlling a now of nuid from said lower to said upper chamber and openable upon an `application of uid under pressure to move said Apiston whereby the pressure of the liquid occupying said lower chamber is increased, means operative against said piston to return the same to its normal position upon a drop of pressure in the said upper chamber, and a, liquid conduit connecting said power unit and said subsurface unit.

,1&5 thereof into an upper and lower chamber, means 4. In a pump system, in combination, a power unit, a liquid source contact unit, and a liquid conduit connecting said two units, said power unit including a reciprocable piston and a cylinder, a liquid passageway leading from the cylinder at a point in front of said piston to the cylinder at a point behind said piston, a valve in said passageway biased to closed position adapted to be opened on the power stroke of said piston, a second liquid passageway leading to a discharge point from said rst passageway at a vpoint between said valve and the rear of the piston, a valve in said second passageway biased to closed position, and aV diaphragm to which said last valve is connected having one face exposed to liquid in the passageway to one side of said first mentioned valve and the other face exposed to liquid in the passageway to the other side of said iirst mentioned valve, said liquid source contact unit including a, casing, an apertured piston in said casing, a valve biased into a, position to close the apertures in said piston, a liquid intake sump disposed at the lower end of said casing and connected thereto, a reciprocable liquid conduit in said casing and spaced from the wall thereof opening at its lower end into said sump, a valve at the upper end of said last named liquid conduit biased to closed position, said last named valve and last named conduit being connected to and movable with said apertured piston, a liquid chamber between said last two valves and surrounding said last named conduit, and means strongly 'biasing said connected valved piston and conduit to an upper position of movement, said biasing means exerting force enough to lift said connected valved piston and conduit and a predetermined head of water.

5. In a pump system, in combination, a power unit, a liquid source contact unit, and a liquid conduit connecting said two units, said rpower unit including a diaphragm and a valve connected thereto, reciprocable power means including a piston, means for effecting an equal pressure on both sides of said diaphragm on the power stroke of said reciprocable power means and for vtransmitting pressure into said liquid source contact unit, and means for increasing the pressure on one side of said diaphragm to open its connected valve efEected on the return stroke of said reciprocable power means whereby pressure established in said liquid source contact unit is relieved and liquid is forced through said opened valve for discharge from said system.

` DOUGLAS JOHNSTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,723,162 Harris Aug. 6, 1929 2,126,880 Gardner Aug. 16, 1938 2,138,002 Hall Nov. 29, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 114,307 Austria of 1929 

